Experience the Revolution through its key events.
Many of the places mentioned in this section can be visited today.

War breaks out

April 19, 1775
The first shots of the Revolutionary War are fired at Lexington
and Concord in Massachusetts. The news of the bloodshed rockets
along the eastern seaboard, and thousands of volunteers converge
on Cambridge, Mass. These are the beginnings of the Continental
Army. Visit
The Park: Minute Man National Historical Park

British form an alliance with patriots'
slaves

November 1775
The British governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issues a proclamation
offering freedom to any slaves of rebellious Americans who are
able to enter British lines. Throughout the course of the war,
tens of thousands of African Americans will seek their freedom
by supporting the British. A smaller number will fight on the
patriot (pro-independence) side, despite policies that discourage
their enlistment.

Americans hold their own at the Battle
of Bunker Hill

June 17, 1775
In the first major action of the war, inexperienced colonial
soldiers hold off hardened British veterans for more than two
hours at Breed's Hill. Although eventually forced to abandon
their position, including the high ground of Bunker Hill overlooking
Boston, the patriots show that they are not intimidated by the
long lines of red-coated infantrymen. Of the 2,200 British seeing
action, more than 1,000 end up dead or wounded.Visit
The Park: Boston National Historical Park

Loyalists defeated at Moores Creek

February 27, 1776
A force of loyalists (Americans who want to remain British subjects),
most of them of Scots descent, is defeated by a patriot army
at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. This setback will largely
quiet loyalist activity in the Carolinas for three years. Visit
The Park: Moores Creek National Battlefield

South Carolinians repel British attempt
to take Charleston

June 28, 1776
A British invasion force mounts an all-day attack on a patriot
force on Sullivanís Island. The invaders are unable to
land their troops on the island, and the tricky waters of Charleston
Harbor frustrate the British navy. The fleet retires in defeat,
and South Carolina will remain untouched by the enemy for three
more years.Visit
The Park: Fort Moultrie National Monument

America declares its independence

July 1776
The Declaration of Independence is adopted by the Second Continental
Congress. Following a decade of agitation over taxes and a year
of war, representatives make the break with Britain. King George
III isn't willing to let his subjects go without a fight, and
loyalist sentiment remains strong in many areas. Americans'
primary allegiance is to their states; nationalism will grow
slowly. Visit
The Park: Independence National Historical Park

Washington crosses the Delaware

December 1776 - January 1777
In a bold move, Washington moves his troops into New Jersey
on Christmas night. The patriots then surprise a force of German
troops fighting for Britain at Trenton on December 26. They
achieve a similar victory over British troops at Princeton on
January 3, reviving hopes that the war just might be winnable.
The army then encamps for the winter at Morristown, New Jersey.
Visit
The Park: Morristown National Historical Park